The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Which One are You?

The Pharisee & The Tax Collector:
Which One Are You?
Luke 18:9-14
I.  The Focus of The Parable. vs 9
     1.  The Self-righteousness of Intellectualism.
     2.  The Self-righteousness of Morality. 
     3.  The Self-righteousness of Good Works. 
II. The Contrast of The Parable.
The Pharisee’s Prayer was…
    A.  Self-Centered
    B.  Judgmental
    C.  All For Show
    D.  Fake
The Tax Collector’s Prayer was…
    A.  Humble
    B.  Heart-Felt
    C.  Confessing
    D.  Effective

III. The Shock of The Parable.
“This man went down to his house justified rather than the other.”
IV. The Invitation of The Parable.
“Exalt self and be humbled---Humble yourself and be exalted.”
 

The 10 Carmel Test

The 10 Camel Test
1. Rebekah Didn’t Know What She Was About to Experience Was Going to Be A Test.
2. Rebekah Passed The Test Because of Her Devotion. 
3. Rebekah Passed The Test Because She Was An Initiator. 
4. Rebekah Passed The Test Because of Her Sensitivity.
5. Rebekah Passed The Test Because She Committed to Her Task.
6. Rebekah Passed The Test Without Calculating.
 

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 1-2
God Invites All Believers
Seriousness Gets Specifics
Crisis Of Faith
Faith Changes You First
I Must Die To Myself

Invitation Often Comes As A Burden
When You Don’t Know What To Do, Do What You Know
Practice Faith Over Facts

Don’t Let Fear Diminish Your Faith

In Order To Experience The Work Of God, You Must Be Involved In The Work Of God
 

Having a Heart on Fire for God.

Having a Heart on Fire for God.
1. God’s Character is Compared to a Fire.
Deuteronomy 4:24
 “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”
2. God is Working in Us to Keep the Fire Burning By the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:11
 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(A) Through God’s Word.
“Jeremiah 20:9
 But if I say, “I will not mention his word     or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire,     a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in;     indeed, I cannot.”

(B) In Jesus’ Presence.

Luke 24:32
 “They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
3. We Are Responsible for Keeping the Fire Burning.

Romans 12:11
“Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.”

Fervent
“Intense Emotion”
 “Extremely Hot” 

4. We Are Not to Quench the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

“ Do not quench the Spirit.”
Quench
“To Stifle”
“To Extinguish”
“Where the Spirit is, He burns.”
 

 

 

Running Away From Your Problems is a Race You Will Never Win.

Running Away From Your Problems Is A Race You Will Never Win.
Psalm 55
I. The Fearful Description of Agony.
(A) The Inward Agony. 2,4,5
(B) The Outward Agony. 3,10,14
(C) The Agony of Betrayal. 12-14  
II. The Fantasy of Escaping From it All. 6-8
III. The Faith Not to Run, But Stay And Trust God.
(A) Place A Call. 16
(B) Make God Your Obsession. 17
(C) Leave Your Burden With God. 22